Chandigarh: Chandigarh Police undertook a thorough investigation subsequent to a formal complaint lodged by Gurcharan Singh, the sub-divisional engineer responsible for sub-division number 13 situated within Sector 37. Singh brought to the authorities’ attention the alarming incident wherein a heritage manhole cover was reported stolen from its location in front of House Number 547, positioned within Sector 38-A, on a fateful Tuesday.
Following diligent efforts, the police successfully apprehended two individuals suspected of being involved in the theft. Employing advanced investigative techniques, including the scrutiny of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, law enforcement officers were able to identify the perpetrators and subsequently recover the pilfered manhole cover from their possession.
The accused have been formally identified as Prikshit, a resident of Sector 25, and Dhani Ram, hailing from Sector 37-D. Their arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the case, underscoring the commitment of the Chandigarh Police to upholding law and order within the city.
Chandigarh, renowned for its architectural marvels conceptualized by the eminent French architect Le Corbusier, boasts over 2,200 cast iron manhole covers, each bearing a distinctive impression of the city map. The intrinsic cultural and historical significance of these covers came to the forefront in November 2010, when one such artifact was auctioned for a staggering sum of Rs.10.67 lakh at a prestigious auction house in Paris.
In light of the escalating incidents of theft targeting these invaluable heritage artifacts, the Union Territory administration took decisive action by initiating plans to preserve and showcase them in a proposed heritage museum. This museum, envisioned to be housed within the premises of the Government Printing Press located in Sector 18, seeks to safeguard the rich cultural heritage of Chandigarh for future generations to cherish and admire.
